Marie Antoinette Collection — Hand-Painted Pewter Figurines
What is the Marie Antoinette Collection by FIGURART? It's a series of
hand-painted tin figurines documenting court life at Versailles
18th century. The collection focuses on Marie Antoinette (1755-1793), queen
of France, and represents its ceremonial clothing, its court rituals and its
role at Versailles. Each figurine is hand-painted by Helen Bourch, founder
FIGURART and miniature artist specializing in historical figurines.
A series of figurines depicting court life at Versailles
Historical collectible figurines in pewter
The Marie Antoinette Collection by FIGURART explores 18th-century court life through hand-painted pewter figurines. This documented series focuses on Marie Antoinette (1755-1793), Queen of France, and the rituals, clothing, and daily representation of life at Versailles. Each figurine is a historical miniature designed for discerning collectors and cultural heritage enthusiasts.
The Marie Antoinette Collection is a historical series intended to expand progressively. It combines rigorous historical research, costume authenticity, and traditional French craftsmanship. The figurines are crafted in pewter, a noble white alloy known for its durability and ability to preserve colour across generations. Each piece bears the artistic signature of Helen Bourch, a miniature artist specialising in hand-painted collectible figurines.
The Current Piece: Young Marie Antoinette in Ballroom Dress
Figurine description
The first piece in the Marie Antoinette Collection depicts a young Marie Antoinette dressed in a pink ball gown adorned with ribbons . This figurine evokes the Rococo elegance of the court of Versailles in the 18th century . The ball gown was a ceremonial garment worn at formal events at the royal court. Ribbons are characteristic elements of Rococo fashion , an 18th-century decorative movement marked by curves, pastel colors, and ornamental details.
The figure measures 60mm and is entirely hand-painted by Helen Bourch. The details of the face, the folds of the dress, and the accessories are executed with miniature precision. The professional acrylic paint used ensures vibrant colors and the piece's durability. A glossy protective varnish is applied as a finish, preserving the beauty of the colors and providing protection against wear and tear.
Les figurines de Marie-Antoinette à Versailles
Materials and Manufacturing Process
Credit: Gilles Bocs for the City of Versailles
Artisanal process: from casting to painting
Each figurine in the Marie Antoinette Collection follows a rigorous artisanal process carried out in the FIGURART workshop in Compiègne. The process begins with pewter casting into precise molds, a step requiring mastery of melting points and foundry expertise. Once cast, the figurine undergoes a deburring stage, where mold seams and junction lines are meticulously filed and scraped.
After deburring, the figurine is inspected for defects before applying a primer coat ensuring optimal paint adhesion. Hand-painting is then applied using precise techniques: each facial detail, dress fold, and accessory receives meticulous attention. Professional acrylic colors are selected for their vibrancy and durability. A protective gloss varnish is applied as the final step, preserving colors and offering protection against wear.
Pewter: a noble and durable alloy
The pewter figurine is crafted from a white alloy, a noble material that has replaced traditional lead in modern collectible figurine manufacturing. Pewter offers exceptional durability and superior colour preservation over decades. Unlike resin or plastic figurines, pewter guarantees longevity, allowing the piece to be passed down through generations without loss of brilliance.
Helen Bourch — Miniature Artist
Artistic signature and expertise
Each figurine in the Marie Antoinette Collection bears the signature of Helen Bourch, founder of FIGURART and miniature artist specializing in hand-painted collectible figurines. Helen Bourch established the FIGURART workshop in 2021 to perpetuate and modernise French historical figurine craftsmanship. Her expertise spans from faithful historical reproduction to contemporary artistic creations, including restoration of antique pieces.
Miniature painting is an art that demands extreme precision and a deep understanding of historical detail. Helen Bourch combines rigorous historical research with technical mastery to create figurines that are both small works of art and miniature historical documents . Each piece bears her personal commitment to craftsmanship excellence and historical authenticity.
Benjamin Zerbib - Figurine Sculptor
Each FIGURART historical figurine is the culmination of numerous stages, the first of which is led by the sculptor, Benjamin Zerbib. Trained in classical sculpture and with extensive experience, Benjamin is a figurine sculptor who engages in a dialogue with the material. His work goes beyond simply creating figurines ; it is an art of sculpture in the round where every detail is carefully considered. From the initial wax model to the final engraving of the mold, he breathes life and character into the pewter. His mastery of chasing and modeling allows him to capture the subtlety of drapery or the intensity of a gaze, transforming an inert block of metal into a vibrant miniature sculpture . It is this expertise, inherited from the great tradition of 19th-century lead soldiers , that elevates each collectible to the status of a small miniature work of art and guarantees the value of our pewter figurines .
Les figurines de Marie-Antoinette à Versailles
Historical Context: Marie Antoinette and Court Life at Versailles
Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) — Queen of France
Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) was an Austrian princess and the wife of King Louis XVI of France. She became Queen of France and remains one of the most iconic figures in Versailles' rich history. Marie Antoinette embodied the elegance and Rococo style of the French court in the 18th century, though her life was marked by political and social tensions preceding the French Revolution.
Daily life in Versailles
Court life at Versailles was structured by formal rituals and elaborate ceremonies. Ballroom dresses like the one represented in the figurine were worn at formal events and royal receptions. The court costume of the 18th century reflected social status and was subject to strict dress codes. Ribbons, lace, and ornaments were essential elements of Rococo fashion, which dominated the aesthetic of the French court.
For collectors and heritage enthusiasts
An authentic collector's item
The Marie Antoinette Collection figurine is designed for discerning collectors and cultural heritage enthusiasts. Each piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity attesting to its artisanal manufacture and FIGURART provenance. The figurine is a historical miniature designed for preservation and transmission, embodying both French miniature art and Versailles history.
Collectors value collectible figurines for their artisanal quality, historical authenticity, and durability. The Marie Antoinette Collection offers a unique opportunity to own a documented piece representing a major historical figure, hand-painted by a specialized artist. The series is intended to expand progressively, offering collectors the opportunity to build a complete thematic collection on court life at Versailles.
Made in France — Compiègne
French craftsmanship and tradition
The Marie Antoinette Collection is entirely manufactured in France in Compiègne, a historic city known as the cradle of French figurine tradition. Compiègne is home to the Museum of Historical Figurines, an institution that documents and preserves the history of this craft. FIGURART perpetuates this tradition by combining traditional know-how with modern artisanal innovation.
Every manufacturing step — from pewter casting to miniature painting — is carried out in the FIGURART workshop by specialized craftsmen. The workshop is labeled "Artisan d'Art" and recognized by "Ateliers d'Art de France", certifications attesting to commitment to impeccable quality and artisanal excellence. This recognition guarantees that each figurine meets the most demanding standards of French craftsmanship.
Certificate of authenticity
Each figurine in the Marie Antoinette Collection comes with a FIGURART certificate of authenticity attesting to its handcrafted nature, serial number, and date of creation. This certificate guarantees the piece's authenticity and facilitates its documentation for collectors.
